It’s not easy renovating one’s house. One of the hardest parts of undertaking renovations and improvements is knowing what to do. Most people have a general idea about what they want to do (i.e., put in a new window) but they have absolutely no idea what they are supposed to do as far as style is concerned.
If you want to have some renovations made to your house to boost its value but don’t have a clear plan, then this post is for you. Here are some popular (and current) trends you can check out and then implement yourself if they are to your liking.
Buying Carpets
One design trend that’s immensely popular all over the world at the minute is the installation of carpets. When people are looking for home and bedroom ideas, carpets usually come out at the top of the list. It’s not hard to see why people like carpets, since they keep your feet warm and double as insulation. However, you should think through your decision to have carpets fitted carefully. If, for example, you have very young children or lots of pets, a carpet might not be the best idea.
Home Offices
Home offices are another popular home improvement trend, though they can be expensive. Most people build offices in their backyards, instead of converting unused bedrooms. One of the advantages of building a separate structure in your backyard is that it can also double as storage. Building an additional structure, especially if it’s made out of high-quality material like wood or brick, can significantly boost your home’s value. You can buy some ready-to-assemble home offices online, which you can put together yourself. Building a home office could be a great summer project for you and your family. You may need a contractor’s help if you plan on building an office using bricks.
Adding Extensions
Another popular trend is the addition of an extension, which is usually just an extra downstairs room. However, if you have a large amount of money to invest in home improvements, then you could add a two- or even three-story extension. When adding an extension you will need to apply for a building permit from your local housing authority or municipality. If you build an extension without a building permit, you can be ordered to tear it down and may have to pay a fine.
Backyard Firepits
The addition of a firepit to your backyard could be an extremely effective way of bumping up your home’s value and also making your backyard a more enjoyable place to spend time. One of the main advantages of installing a firepit is that you can then enjoy your backyard even during the winter months when you usually wouldn’t be able to go out there. You will need a professional contractor’s help if you intend on having a firepit built that’s connected to your home’s main gas supply. If you will just be burning wood, you can likely build a firepit yourself.
Plantation Shutters
One extremely popular trend at the minute is the use of plantation shutters, usually instead of curtains or traditional blinds. Because of how popular they are, they can be very expensive to buy. If you plan on fitting them in your home, then you should try to find some made from metal or plastic instead of wood. While wooden plantation shutters do look great, condensation in your house can lead to them rotting. Wood rot cannot be reversed. If they begin to rot, you will have to pay to have them refitted.
Block-printed Wallpaper
If you love floral patterns and unique designs, then why not have bespoke block-printed wallpaper made up for your house? There are lots of designers offering bespoke wallpaper services at the moment. The only downside to bespoke wallpaper is that it can be very expensive. If you are on a budget, then it will probably not be available to you. The main advantage of bespoke wallpaper is that you get to create your own design. Instead of bespoke though, you can still get very high-quality, block-printed wallpaper made up. Make sure you read the reviews of the designer with whom you plan on working.
Minimalist Design
If you want your home’s interior design style to be relevant and modern, then minimalist style is worth looking into. While it’s not a style for everybody, it is very popular at the moment. An advantage of minimalism is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on furniture. The minimalist style involves using as little furniture as possible. It also involves making sure that the furniture that is used is as functional as possible. Take some time to research minimalism before committing yourself to it, so you can pull it off expertly.
Open-plan Living
Open-plan living has been very popular for a while now. If you have a kitchen that’s separate from your living area, then why not make it open plan? One of the main advantages of open-plan living is that you have a lot more storage room. The space that would usually be covered up by walls when you go open-plan is free and open for you to use. You will need a building permit if you intend on knocking down internal walls. You will probably also need a construction team’s help, otherwise, you could seriously damage the structure of your house.
Going Solar
Another home improvement that’s more relevant now than ever before is the addition of solar panels to your roof. Energy prices are skyrocketing at the minute. If you add solar panels to your roof, you can significantly reduce the amount that you have to pay for electricity. If you have an electric heating system in your house (or cooling) then you can power it with solar energy. Solar panels can be expensive to fit though, so make sure you get them done by an expert company that knows what they are doing and offers high-quality panels.
Making improvements to your house can make living there more comfortable, and also increase your home’s value. Increasing the value of your house is definitely worth doing, especially since property prices are starting to fall. Making improvements to your house can help it to maintain its resale value.